The ophthalmic artery emerges along the medial side of the anterior clinoid process.

[3] The orbital group, distributing vessels to the orbit and surrounding parts, includes: The ocular group, distributing vessels to the eye and its muscles, includes: The central retinal artery is the first, and one of the smaller branches of the ophthalmic artery and runs in the dura mater inferior to the optic nerve.

About 12.5mm (0.5 inch) posterior to the globe, the central retinal artery turns superiorly and penetrates the optic nerve, continuing along the center of the optic nerve, entering the eye to supply the inner retinal layers.

The next branch of the ophthalmic artery is the lacrimal artery, one of the largest, arises just as the OA enters the orbit and runs along the superior edge of the lateral rectus muscle to supply the lacrimal gland, eyelids and conjunctiva.

The OA continues anteriorly to the trochlea, where the medial palpebral arteries (superior and inferior) arise and supply the eyelids.

[5] Even complete occlusion of the ophthalmic artery may possibly leave the eye without symptoms, probably because of circulatory anastomoses[6] ocular group: central retinal